Secret Santa 2010

[moonlettuce.livejournal.com]

So, as I looked out of the window into the dark night, I thought to myself, 'Self, what does this dark night need more of?' And, as I thought about it, I realised there could be only one answer, only one thing that could make this night better... an Asgard in a Santa hat! Which means...

The 2010 SGA Secret Santa is open for sign-ups!

Bring us your gen, your het, your slash.

Bring us your OTPs, your threesomes, your forgies, your puppypiles in the middle of the gateroom.

Bring us John and Teyla and Rodney and Ronon.

Bring us Wraith and Asurans and Asgard and Genii.

Bring us John, in love with his entire team and realising he doesn't have to choose. Bring us Evan and Radek, waking up in Vegas, hungover and married. Bring us Sam, who thinks she'd go mad if it wasn't for Jennifer's soft touch.

Bring us the stories that long to be told, the ones that rest on the lips of Teyla, of Ronon, of Radek.

Bring us your requests, bring us enough fic to see us all the way through the festive season and out the other side.

The relevant dates:

Sign-ups are between now and October 10th. All the requests will then be jumbled up and sent back out by October 17th (gives us time to match everyone up).

Responses to gift requests are to be sent to one of the moderators (moonlettuce or alyse) on or before December 10th.

Between December 14th and December 23rd all gift!fics will be posted for your delight and delectation.

To join the exchange, simply sign up to the community and post a request with the following information:

LiveJournal:
E-mail:
Things I'd like: You can request as many things as you'd like in here. That doesn't mean you'll get them all, but there's no harm in asking. If you'd like a specific pairing, or character, then speak now or forever hold thy peace :-)
Things I wouldn't like: If there's anything you wouldn't like to receive (pairing, character, etc) then here's the place to mention it.
What I can do: Are you a slash only person? Do you only write a specific character or pairing?
What I can't do: If there's anything you feel you can't do, then please say so here. If you can't write NC-17 fic, or have no desire to write het / slash, or a specific pairing or character then please say so.
Pinch hitter?: In the event of someone not being able to complete their gift!fic, are you willing to be stand-in writer?

Please post your request as a new post in the community.

For those people without LJs, the non-LJ sign-up post is here: http://community.livejournal.com/sga_santa/264592.html

All stories should be a minimum of 1,000 words in length and everyone who signs up to receive a story will be expected to write one in return.

Please note, if you do not get a story to us in time we will organise a pinch hitter so that your recipient isn't left without a fic at the end of the fest. If we do this, do not whine at us, because all we will do is mock.

Other information can be found here. Any questions, just ask.

Comments

[busaikko]

I know last year there were a lot of pinch hitters, and there wasn't really a system in place to make sure that they got a gift (though there was this post asking for volunteers). I know it's an administrative hassle, but pinch hitters have been known to come up with gifts in 24 hours, and it would be nice to have a system whereby pinch hitters (especially those who did not sign up in the first place) get a gift as well. Last year's posting of prompts (above link) worked well, though I think one of the pinch hitters didn't submit a prompt and got nothing (I could be wrong). I know the exchange (and especially the pinch hitting) is about giving, and I know this makes me sound like a very greedy person /o\ ... to make up for that, I'm volunteering to be a pinch-hitter gift wrangler this year, if you need one....

[reddwarfer.livejournal.com]

I agree. In the past, when I've modded, I never posted a gift for someone who hadn't sent one in...and I used to get permission from the author or artist to regift their work to one of my pinch hitters. (I always had my pinch hitters send me in their kinks/squicks...so, I matched what I could...and posted the remaining orphaned gifts to the community.)

[kisahawklin]

Hm. Reposted to clarify.

You are awesome!!!

And I completely agree, and I love to write gift fics and on a strict deadline, so if you do end up doing this, please do put my name on your list. <3

[busaikko]

*adds your name to the top of the list*

*covers in glitter*

[alyse]

Yeah, I'm afraid I'm going to have to say that I'm fundamentally opposed to doing something organised for pinch hitters. I've got absolutely no problem with us doing the Santa Madness thing we did last year, and encouraging people to pick something done by a pinch hitter (especially if they're people who didn't originally sign up for the exchange), but that's very much a volunteer thing. It's really not in the spirit of volunteering to be a pinch hitter to expect an additional story out of it, and the point of Santa Madness was to generate more stories overall to share with everyone, not really to 'reward' certain people because they've generously given their time to make sure no one is left without a gift (although that was a very lovely thing that came out of it).

As you said, pinch hitters sign up for the sole purpose of making sure that no one who originally signed up is left without a story. We guarantee that everyone who signs up gets a story, even if Claire or I are the ones who end up having to write it ::g:: We've been very, very lucky so far that we've had loads of people willing to give up their time to make sure that no one is left without a gift, and we appreciate every single volunteer, but they do so in the knowledge that they're not going to get anything in return, and I'd really rather not change that dynamic. Not to mention, there's a risk that the expectation could end up being recursive - if you sign up to be a pinch hitter in the knowledge that you're going to get an additional story out of it, is the person signing up to write a story for a pinch hitter also not then entitled to another story?

I'd rather concentrate on making sure that everyone has one gift than some have two or three, and creating the expectation that volunteering to pinch hit = extra gift is likely to just end up with either disappointment for some people or with Claire and I running around, trying to find pinch hitters for additional stories for pinch hitters and we're back in that recursive thing. And not all pinch hitters want anything anyway - we had one last year who didn't sign up originally, so had no prompts, and then didn't volunteer any prompts when we asked her for some for Santa madness.

In terms of regifting stories where the recipient drops out, we've never done that and we're not planning to as we're fairly happy with the way things work now. Apart from anything else, because we post over two weeks, and because so many people miss the original deadline of the 10th but promise stories asap (and most do eventually produce them), it's almost impossible for us to say definitively who is going to default at the last minute. Also, some people have really good reasons for dropping out - we've had deaths in the family, computers dying at the last minute, homes burning down, personal lives spiralling out of control, and some of these people have still managed to deliver stories, just a little late - and I don't want us to be put in the position of having to judge what's a valid reason and what isn't. The ficathon is fun, but it's not real life and sometimes real life has to take precedence. If we think someone is simply flaky or taking the piss, there's always the option of not allowing them to sign up in future.

To put this in perspective, I haven't signed up to take part in the exchange for the last few years because there's so much work involved in running it that I haven't had the time to write a story on top of it. Plus, I know that there's always a risk that I may end up having to write a pinch hit on top of it, and I certainly don't have enough time to write two stories. So I know I'm not going to get a story out of it, and I'm okay with that. The fact that everyone has so much fun with this and that there's so much pleasure coming out of it is enough for me :)

So, that's very much a 'it's nice if pinch hitters get an additional story from Madness, but I'm not going to formalise it or create an expectation where I don't think one should exist', I'm afraid.

[alyse]

And I should clarify in terms of the regifting, what I mean is that because we post stories over two weeks, someone may only fail to deliver after the story written for them is already posted. So logistically, it's not possible.

And the first person who suggests that we a) post all of the stories on the same day or b) suggests we host them off site after the wank we got when we suggested that the first time gets the patented Al Glare of Doom^TM. There may be actual laser beams involved in that one ::g::

[busaikko]

I have a feeling that we are talking at cross purposes. I did not mention or suggest regifting, posting offsite, or posting all on one day. I think that we have the same goal, but are just approaching it from different directions. I have one main concern, which is,

As you said, pinch hitters sign up for the sole purpose of making sure that no one who originally signed up is left without a story. We guarantee that everyone who signs up gets a story

... everyone except for a pinch hitter who did not sign up originally; and that is what bothers me. It is true that you can say, "Well, if they really wanted a gift, they ought to have signed up in the first place!" and "They are volunteering!". . . But, just like some people who sign up have really good reasons for dropping out, others only realise they can participate after sign ups close. And those who accept a pinch hit do understand that they are volunteering. They do understand that your comm policy is that they will get nothing in return if they are not a signed-up participant. And yet they volunteer (writing is fun! giving presents is fun!).

People who have signed up who accept a pinch hit are guaranteed a gift already; whether they write one fic or three, they will have a gift. I agree that they do not need a new gift per every fic they write. As you say, that would escalate, and can be covered by Madness.

What I am proposing is, at bare minimum, to arrange gifts for the pinch hitters who have not signed up (there were three last year, two or three in 2008, one in 2007, three in 2006 [according to my failsome skills with master list statistics]). I am not suggesting that the mods do anything beyond pass on the names of those people, whom I would contact and get prompts from. I would then make sure that their gifts were taken care of (posted to the comm by a date given me by the mods). My goal is in no way to make more work for the mods.

You wrote that I'd rather concentrate on making sure that everyone has one gift. This is our common goal, and what I would like to volunteer to do; to make sure that everyone (even those who did not sign up originally) gets one gift. If averages are anything to go by, there will likely be two writers who will finish the fest gift-less. Even people who, for RL reasons, have to drop out of the fest get a gift. Please reconsider allowing me to find gifts for these pinch hitters.

[alyse]

I think we are talking at cross purposes. I certainly took away from your first comment that you were talking about organising stories for all of the people who pinch hit, not just those that had volunteered to pinch hit but who hadn't signed up for the original exchange.

However, that being said, and while I appreciate the offer, after Santa Madness last year - where we had a 'Pinch Hitter Appreciation Post' that listed out the prompts submitted by pinch hitters, and, from what I remember, made it clear which ones didn't have a story - we only had one person who had submitted a story who hadn't received one and, as I said in my previous comment, this was the pinch hitter who didn't, when asked, submit any prompts for Santa Madness so there was nothing to offer out to writers.

Claire and I will have to have a chat about whether we run Santa Madness this year or not - and I can't see why we wouldn't, but it's the one thing we haven't talked about yet so I don't want to commit us just in case she's 'oh, hell, no!' ::g:: - and if so, I think we'll be covered again. I honestly do not see how you could do anything over and above what we're already doing because, as it's an anonymous exchange, no one knows who the pinch hitters are until after the 1 Jan reveal - it's intended to be that way, so that they have as much of a chance of having guesses made about their stories as anyone else ::g:: Given that, it's going to be a wee bit difficult for you to organise a story for them when you don't know who they are and won't until 1 January.

If you want to organise something in January, when the list does have names attached (and we do make it clear, on the list, which stories are pinch hits so you'll be able to tell who the pinch hitters are at that point), then go for it and I'll cheer you on. With pom poms if necessary.

But in terms of organising official stories for pinch hitters who volunteer but who didn't originally sign up, or additional stories for those who volunteer but who already have one, I'm afraid my view is still that people volunteer to pinch hit because they are generous enough to gift something without any expectation of reward, and I don't want to do anything to change the tone of that offer. Plus, where people do offer to pinch hit but didn't sign up originally, the kind of feedback we get is that yay, they now get to play as well, not that yay, they now get a story, too.

To be perfectly blunt, if it was a choice between giving the pinch hit to someone already signed up or giving it to someone new who hadn't signed up, and then having to organise a pinch hit for them as well, then why would we go for the option of organising two pinch hits rather than just one? (And I know you've volunteered to do that, and I do appreciate it for all I'm shooting down your ideas ::g::, but we're back to the sticking point that it's an anonymous exchange and we would have to break that anonymity to share some information with you.) At the moment, it's first come, first served regardless of the position of the person volunteering, and that seems to be the fairest option.

I realise that some people miss the sign ups for whatever reason, but they can always sign up next time or take part in Santa Madness if we run it, which I'm pretty sure - checking with Claire aside - we will.

So while I appreciate your enthusiasm and the offer, and, as I said, feel more than free to make January Pinch Hit Appreciation Month, I honestly think the way it runs currently is likely to have fewer issues.

[kisahawklin]

Just wanted to raise a cheer! Thanks a million, alyse and moonlettuce for doing this again!

You guys are early, so I dropped the ball and didn't have my sign-up ready to go first. Will get right on that.

[moonlettuce.livejournal.com]

::grin:: I'm going to be in the middle of running a slash con when we normally announce, and I figured no one would object to a few extra days of writing time ;)

[rabidfan.livejournal.com]

Thank you alyse and moonlettuce for your willingness to tackle such a huge undertaking. It shows incredible generousity of spirit and I so very much appreciate it!

[moonlettuce.livejournal.com]

It shows incredible generousity of spirit

Either that, or neither of us are right in the head ;D

[alyse]

::votes for option number 2::

[scrollgirl.livejournal.com]

I'd love to sign up, but if something happens between now and Oct 10, can I just delete my request post?

[moonlettuce.livejournal.com]

Yep. No matching is done until the sign-ups close, so if something happens, feel free to delete your request :)

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

\o/
I'm so happy that you're running this again - thank you! :)

[omg-wtf-yeah.livejournal.com]

Should we tag our posts or do the mods tag them? I know this is a silly question, but is there a claiming round or do all the writers receive an assignment? I just felt compelled to add that I've never participated in a Secret Santa thing before.

[alyse]

We did ask that people tag their request posts (as you don't post the actual stories - we do under an admin account and tag them at that point), but I've gone ahead and tagged your request post as I added it to the memories.

And you get assigned someone to write for - you don't claim any requests.

However, last year, after all requests were in and all stories had been posted (i.e. everyone had a gift), we ran a little something extra that we called Santa Madness. It seemed to be popular so we're thinking of running it again this year. Basically, once everyone had a fic for them, wE threw the floor open and peopele could then go and write extra stories in the period between Christmas and New Year and choose from any of the prompts submitted in this round.

[omg-wtf-yeah.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Maybe I'll participate in Santa Madness, too. :)

[xenaclone.livejournal.com]

E-mail: xenaclone@hotmail.co.uk

Things I'd like: Ronon, naked! [You may pair him with Keller, his ex wife, Weir or OFC]

Things I wouldn't like: Dub con/non con/slash: Wraith menaces are okay!

What I can't do: Femmeslash, McKellor, non con; would rather not do slash.

Pinch hitter?: Yup!

[alyse]

Hi there

Please post your request as a new entry on the comm, not as a comment here.

Thank you.

[alyse]

You need to post it as an actual post to the community, not as a comment on this entry :)

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

*cough* Are we having an SGA Santa this year...?

[alyse]

Yes, but we don't normally open signups until the end of September anyway.

[icarusancalion.livejournal.com]

Yay!

Okay, so I may be going through fandom withdrawal, and am beta reading mad_maudlin's excellent Atlantis Big Bang story which has me thinking "SGA...."